Networking platform for sustainable cities

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The networking platform was initiated in 2016 by the Smart City cities of Vienna, Graz and Salzburg together with the Ministry of Climate Protection and is coordinated by SIR. It connects city administrations, research and business in order to actively drive forward overarching urban strategy and transformation processes. The focus is on integrated urban development, urban innovation and climate change adaptation. The platform currently comprises nine cities. Participation is voluntary.

Objectives and added value of the networking platform

The networking platform strengthens the role of cities as designers of their own urban future. It offers a platform for the exchange of experience, the development of joint research and implementation projects and the strategic further development of urban issues.

The central goals are

Promoting innovation processes: Cities exchange knowledge, learn from each other and develop new solutions for urban challenges.
Integration of research and practice: The platform translates scientific findings into municipal applications and incorporates urban needs into research programmes.
Development of long-term strategies: The platform supports cities in working on urban transformation processes in a structured and future-oriented way.
Networking of relevant stakeholders: City administrations, research, business and funding bodies are brought together to design practical and applicable solutions.

For the Ministry of Climate Protection, the platform also offers valuable insights into municipal processes and supports the adaptation of funding programmes to municipal requirements.

Key topics

The content priorities of the platform are defined annually with the participating cities and adapted to current needs. For the current period, these include

Integrated and interdisciplinary urban development
(Research and implementation) innovation and strategy development
Climate change adaptation
Urban quality of life
Data & digitalisation
Sustainable mobility solutions
Communication and awareness-raising
Resilience

This thematic focus ensures that the cities can specifically develop and implement future-proof development strategies.

Participating cities

Originally founded by Vienna, Graz and Salzburg, the networking platform now comprises nine cities (in the order in which they joined the platform):

Vienna
Graz
Salzburg
Villach
Klagenfurt
Innsbruck
Linz
St. Pölten
Dornbirn

The active participation of the cities ensures that the networking platform remains a strong, practice-orientated network in which city administrations support each other and learn from each other.

Participation in the platform is voluntary and free of charge. However, a key success factor is the continuous participation of the same city representatives in order to build long-term trust and effective cooperation.

How the networking platform works

The networking platform offers various exchange formats that are specifically tailored to the needs of the cities and are developed and defined with them on an annual basis. The SIR coordinates the formats, moderates the transfer of knowledge and supports strategic development. The central formats include:

ERFA meetings (exchange of experience) are the central place for direct dialogue between the participating city representatives. They offer space for open communication about successes and challenges, joint strategy development and the development of solutions.
Urban Insights are digital, topic-specific exchange formats in which a city shares the expertise it has acquired on a specific topic. The format is open to all relevant city departments.
Specialist events are forums for dialogue with experts from science, business and administration.

All formats are tailored to the needs of the cities and enable a continuous build-up of knowledge and the development of joint strategies.

Contribution of the cities

The cities on the networking platform make an active contribution by

nominate a participating city representative
participate regularly in the exchange formats,
contribute their own experiences and projects,
are willing to learn from other cities and develop innovative solutions together.

Participation in the networking platform is generally possible for interested cities. Participation is free of charge and is organised by the cities themselves. Further information can be obtained from the coordination centre (see contact).